First Year Back: Marketing Week 2025

This year marked AMA's first time hosting Marketing Week since before COVID. A week packed with learning, networking, and competition, our students and industry professionals came together to make it an unforgettable experience!

The American Marketing Association and The Professional Sales Club members at Ferris State, alongside our judges.

Kyle Koolwick, Madelyn Oly, and Benji Zorn, who led the execution of the competition.

The week kicked off with the Brand Kickoff, where students explored how to define their personal and professional brands while learning strategies to stand out in a competitive environment. This set the stage for a week full of networking, growth, and preparation for the week.

Students then participated in RSO Speed Networking, working with the Music and Entertainment Business Association Club. This time allowed students to practice elevator pitches, make meaningful connections, and gain confidence in professional settings. The Branding Workshop that followed provided hands-on experience in building a strong personal brand, helping students learn how to communicate their value, and present themselves professionally.

The day before Competition, students had the chance to learn from an outstanding panel of business professionals:

• Hugh S. Ingalls — Executive Producer & Co-Owner (Photography)

• Katie Wiersma  — Marketing & Communications Professional

• Matt Eickhoff  — Business Owner (Entertainment)

• Jason Dodge  — Founder (Media & Marketing)

• Nick Scheible  — Financial Advisor

• Connor Schultze  — Commerical Real Estate

Their insights focused on building brand value, cultivating meaningful relationships, maintaining authenticity and integrity, and maximizing visibility and engagement. From Matt Eickhoff’s “product = me”(what you bring) approach to Katie Wiersma’s reminder that professionalism reflects your brand, the advice inspired students to take actionable steps toward their career growth.

The week concluded with the high-energy West Michigan Collegiate Sales Competition, co-hosted by the Ferris State Professional Sales Club and executed with dedication by Madelyn Oly, Benji Zorn, and Kyle Koolwick. Students showcased their sales, presentation, and personal branding skills in front of a panel of judges. Congratulations to our winners:

🥇 Melissa Zazzo — 1st Place in Perfect Pitch

🥈 Ferris State — 2nd Place in Team Competition

🥉 Nate Erdelyi — 3rd Place in Fastenal Sales Roleplay

We are incredibly proud of our students’ hard work, growth, and energy throughout the week. A special thank you to Saginaw Valley State University and Grand Valley State University Sales Clubs for competing, supporting, and adding to the experience.

We also extend our gratitude to our Competition Day sponsors:

• Miller Electric (https://www.millerwelds.com)

• Fastenal (https://www.fastenal.com)

• GE Aerospace (https://www.geaerospace.com)

• Herc Rentals (https://www.hercrentals.com)

As well as our judges: Linda Goulet(Ferris State), Celeste Littrup(Herc Rentals), Autumn Loeffler(Herc Rentals), and Grant Baker(Miller Electric) — for their support, guidance, and partnership in making this event possible.

We would also like to thank our Marketing Week sponsors:

• B4 Builders (https://www.b4builders.com)

• Northwestern Mutual (https://www.northwesternmutual.com)

• State Farm (https://www.statefarm.com)

— for helping make this week of professional growth, networking, and competition a success. Marketing Week 2025 reminded us that with dedication, leadership, and collaboration, Ferris State students can thrive, develop their professional skills, and build their personal brand. We can’t wait to see what next year brings!